Blitz the Gap is a Canada-wide bioblitz to help us fill gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity in Canada. Canada is a large country and hosts tons of amazing biodiversity - which makes it a challenging place to survey. Though we’ve made progress thanks to community science platforms like iNaturalist, we are still lacking data for a whole host of ecological and conservation applications.

To assess at-risk species, track the changes in species’ ranges due to climate change, rapidly detect species losses and invasions, we just need more data - and we need your help!

Join on iNaturalist

Challenges

To Blitz the Gap, choose from a series of challenges to fill biodiversity data gaps in Canada, according to what inspires you the most. These challenges were designed by graduate students throughout Canada to help guide iNaturalists like you towards places that deserve a little more attention. Remember: even one observation can be enough to make a difference in our understanding of biodiversity change.

Ready? Set? Blitz the Gap!

Books, Butterflies & Blooms
Team up with your local public library to photograph plants, animals, fungi and more! Beginners welcome. Help us survey biodiversity across this vast and beautiful country.

Closing the Climate Gap
Canada hosts a wide range of climates due to its vast size and diverse geography. Understanding how different climates contribute to the collective housing of biodiversity…

Conservation Priorities in Canada (MayBAs)
“30 by 30” is an initiative by 120 countries worldwide, including Canada, to protect 30% of land, inland waters, and sea by 2030. Canada plays a big role in reaching this…

Getting Even!
There are a lot of observations on iNaturalist - which is great! But sometimes those observations are skewed towards certain groups of organisms, especially in certain…

More than the Monarch
In Canada, we have more than 5,000 species recorded of butterflies and moths, one of which is the Monarch (Danaus plexippus), the fifth most recorded species in the country.…

Revisiting the past
To understand biodiversity change, we need a record of biodiversity change. Join this challenge to help us bridge time gaps in biodiversity data!

Seaweeds of Canada
Ahoy! Beachcombers, beachgoers, and beach bums rejoice! Have we got a challenge for you!

Too Hot to Handle!
Canada’s climate is warming quickly, but more so in some parts of the country than others. You can help scientists and communities track how species are responding to these…

Trailblazers challenge
Did you know that most iNaturalist observations made by hikers are taken in close proximity to the trailhead? Having a more even spread in observations over the complete…
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